Is Email the Best Choice? Factors to Consider Before Hitting “Send” Email is one of the most commonly used forms of communication in the business world.…
Most organizations don’t have professional editors on staff. And while many strong writers are also strong editors, editing does represent a unique skill set that not everyone…
Many people believe that plain language equals simplifying the language to a very low level. This is untrue. Plain language means using language and formatting that allows the…
There are two types of jargon: industry jargon and bureaucratic jargon. Industry jargon, such as terms and acronyms specific to your business, can be used if you’re sure your…
You’ve crafted a strong message, but how you wrap up can make or break the impact of your email or letter. A weak closing can leave the reader confused or unmotivated, while a…
If there’s one saying that will always be true, it’s “quality over quantity”. This saying is very helpful in reminding us that a long sentence leads to a frustrated reader…
When driving around town, I look at signs. The image posted shows one I see weekly, and its mistakes jump out every time. Let's take a look at it.
While you usually hear people talk about policies and procedures together, each has a different role. Policies are high-level guidelines or statements of…
People understand the costs of doing business in terms of equipment, staff, property and taxes. But what about the cost of communication? All activities related to written…
Working remotely has many of us sending off dozens of emails a day to communicate with colleagues, customers and everyone in between. Due to the high volume, it can be easy to hit…
How you format a document is just as important as the words you put on your page. Documents that are visually appealing are compelling and easier to read than poorly formatted…
Do you think much about using transition in your writing? It’s one of many practices that separate good writing from mediocre writing. Transition words and phrases link your…
Do employees in your organization struggle with using consistent abbreviations, spellings and capitalizations? Maybe you write Internet with a capital I but your…
Not all writers are numbers people, and not all numbers people are writers. But they’re all readers. That’s why it’s crucial to communicate numbers and data in a way that everyone…
We have a tendency to focus on our own perspectives when completing tasks, including writing our business documents. But the best documents (the ones that capture the most…
